Peru State earns fourth win with upset of Benedictine

Alyssa Marsh-Contreras brings the ball up the court for Peru State. Marsh-Contreras led the Bobcats with 18 points. (Photo Courtesy: Peru State Sports Network)

ATCHISON, Kan. – At the end of the first quarter, the Peru State women’s basketball team led by eight over their opponents. The rest of the contest was a close back and forth game for the win against the home team – the Benedictine Ravens.

The ‘Cats held the lead for the following two quarters by outscoring the Ravens. In the final quarter Peru State was outscored by Benedictine by only six points, but that did not affect the upset by the Bobcats. Peru State eventually won 67-61.

Peru State made 27 of 58 field goals for 46.6% including 6 of 16 from the long range for 37.5%. At the free throw line, the Bobcats hit 7 of 8 of 87.5%. Benedictine made 22 of 60 field goals for 36.7% including 13 of 29 from the long range for 44.8%. At the charity stripe, the Ravens hit 4 of 8 for 50%.

The ‘Cats had a slight rebounding edge with 39 boards compared to 33 for the Ravens.

Alyssa Marsh Contreras led the way with 18 points. Giovanna Silva finish with a double-double, 13 points and 14 rebounds.

With the win, Peru won their fourth game of the season against 23 losses. The Bobcats are 3-20 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart).

Benedictine (BC), who was receiving votes in the last coaches’ poll, is now 18-11 overall and 13-10 in the Heart.

No. 2 Benedictine Squeaks Past Peru State

ATCHISON, Kan. -Bobcat turnovers and having to foul down the stretch led to a tough loss to the Ravens on Wednesday night in Atchison, Kansas.

The Benedictine (BC) Ravens were able to hold off a strong effort by Peru State clinching them a 70-64 victory.

Benedictine finished with a 40.8% field goal shooting percentage as they connected on 20 of 49 tries which including making 11 of 28 from long range for 39.3%. The Ravens benefitted from making 19 of 22 free throws for 86.4%. Peru State made 25 of 67 field goals for 37.3% and hit 9 of 27 from behind the arc for 33.3%. The Bobcats only went to the charity stripe eight times and made five for 62.5%.

The ‘Cats held a rebounding edge as they grabbed 43 boards compared to 33 for Benedictine.

Lyle Hexom finished with 21 points, while Terry Moore, Jr. had a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds.

Upon the completion of this game, the #2 ranked Ravens remain at the top of the conference with an overall record of 25-2 and a 21-0 undefeated record in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart). With their #14 ranking, the Bobcats moved down to 18-9 on the season and fell to 13-8 in conference play.

Peru State will remain third in the conference standings – keeping them one game behind William Penn (Iowa) and two games ahead Grand View (Iowa). The ‘Cats have three games remaining in the regular season.